Rand Paul pushes rapid contempt motion against Anthony Fauci after Fifth Amendment testimony

Rand Paul is moving to expedite a contempt of Congress referral against former NIH director Anthony Fauci after the scientist answered 111 questions with Fifth Amendment pleas in a heated Senate hearing. Paul told the Senate Homeland Security Committee that the motion could be passed out of committee rather than waiting for a floor vote, and that a legal brief would be sent to the Justice Department. With the Senate slated to recess, Vice President JD Vance could certify the citation, enabling the U.S. Attorney’s Office to consider charges that carry up to a year in prison and a $100,000 fine.

Criminal defense attorney David Schwartz said Fauci’s opening remarks followed by the Fifth Amendment meet the legal definition of contempt. Paul’s effort builds on three prior referrals—two under the Biden administration and one under Trump—stemming from accusations that Fauci misled Congress about U.S. funding of gain-of-function work in Wuhan. Fauci’s lawyer David Schertler has repeatedly denied the allegations, calling them false. The final decision on any prosecution rests with the Justice Department.